Brainspotting Phase 1 - In Person (October 10-12, 2025)
To learn more about this seminar, read the info below.
To learn more about this seminar, read the info below.
To learn more about this seminar, read the info below.
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Brainspotting is a powerful, focused treatment method that works by identifying, processing and releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional/body pain, trauma, dissociation and a variety of challenging symptoms. Brainspotting is a simultaneous form of diagnosis and treatment, enhanced with BioLateral sound, which is deep, direct, powerful yet focused and containing.
Brainspotting identifies activated eye positions designated as Brainspots. Located through either one or both eyes, Brainspots are observed from either the “Inside Window” of the clients felt sense and/or the “Outside Window” of the clients’ reflexive responses (i.e., blink, eye twitches or wobbles, pupil dilation, quick breaths and subtle body shifts). Students will first learn the phenomenological approach that underpins strategies for Brainspotting, followed by strategies for identifying and processing Brainspots. Attention will be given to the utilization and integration of Brainspotting into ongoing treatment, including highly dissociative clients. Brainspotting is adaptable to almost all areas of specialization.
Brainspotting provides therapists with powerful tools which enable their patients to quickly and effectively focus and process through the deep brain sources of many emotional, somatic and performance problems.
In this introductory Brainspotting Phase 1 training, participants will learn four basic brainspotting techniques. In addition, participants will receive and overview of the:
standards of care and professional practice for brainspotting practitioners,
research that supports the primary assumptions of brainspotting; and
challenges of research and evidence-based treatment for conditions such as Complex PTSD
Training runs from 9am - 5:30pm each day.
For cancellation policy see our terms & conditions page linked in the footer of our website.
Evaluations and attendance certificates will be emailed within a week of training completion.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
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Participants of this introductory level course participants will be able to:
Summarize the standards of care and professional practice of the International Brainspotting Association.
Describe the hypothesized neurological underpinnings of how brainspotting works.
Summarize the research that supports the hypothesized way in which eye positions activate and accesses midbrain activity.
Explain the uncertainty principle as it relates to brainspotting.
Describe the concepts of simultaneous neurobiological and relational attunement.
Explain the importance of client-therapist attunement during brainspotting.
Explain how the treatment frame is set and held by the therapist.
Explain the role of focused mindfulness in brainspotting.
Discuss the similarities and differences between the activation and resource models of brainspotting.
Explain the concept of limbic countertransference.
Demonstrate a basic mastery of the use of the outside window brainspotting technique.
Demonstrate a basic mastery of the use of the inside window brainspotting technique.
Demonstrate a basic mastery of the use of the gaze spot brainspotting technique.
Demonstrate a basic mastery of the use of the resource model of brainspotting technique.
Assess the appropriate brainspotting techniques for the treatment of Post-traumatic stress disorder, including the Dissociative Subtype, and other trauma-related symptoms.
Describe two challenges to assessing and providing evidence-based treatment to individuals with Complex PTSD.
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DAY 1 - FRIDAY:
9:00-9:15: Housekeeping
9:15-9:30: “Where You Look Affects How Feel” experiential
9:30-10:45: Introduction to Brainspotting teaching with an overview of research studies demonstrating Brainspotting as an evidence based practice, history of how Brainspotting was discovered, exploration of the Neuroscience behind Brainspotting’s efficacy, overview of the four techniques that will be taught, overview of the symptoms of unresolved trauma, the brain science behind Brainspotting in shifting the Autonomic Nervous System from a dysregulated state to one of regulation and coherence, etc. Therapists remain current with developments in their field through educational activities or clinical experiences.
10:45-11:00: Break
11:00-11:30: Continue Phase 1 teaching: Overview of where trauma is stored in the brain as well as the survival coping mechanisms of Flight, Fight, Freeze, Faint and Fawn, instruction on the Basic 8 Steps of Brainspotting, Explanation of the ethical and clinical importance of letting the client and their sophisticated brain lead the process, discussion of the negative impact on the client’s healing if the therapist takes the lead, tips for the clinician to stay present and mindfully attuned to their client relationally, how to keep the client inside their “window of tolerance” while processing, and best practices for working with trauma.
11:30-12:15: Demo - “Outside Window”
12:15-12:45: Debrief - “Outside Window”
12:45-1:45: Lunch
1:45-2:00: Review of “Outside Window” in preparation for practicum.
2:00-3:30: “Outside Window”Practicum
3:30-4:00: Debrief - “Outside Window” Practicum
4:00-4:15: Break
4:15-5:00: Demo - “Inside Window”
5:00-5:30: Debrief - “Inside Window”
DAY 2 - SATURDAY
9:00-9:15: Review of previous day
9:15-9:30: Quick review of the nine steps of “Inside Window”
9:30-11:00: “Inside Window” Practicum
11:00-11:15: Debrief of Inside Window Practicum
11:15-11:30: Break
11:30-12:15: Demo - “Gazespotting”
12:15-12:45: Debrief “Gazespotting”
12:45-1:45: Lunch
1:45-2:00: Review “Gazespotting” steps prior to practicum.
2:00-3:30: “Gazespotting” Practicum
3:30-4:00 Debrief - “Gazespotting” Practicum
4:00 to 4:15: Break
4:15 -5:00: Small Group Q&A Breakouts
5:00-5:30: Large Group Q&A
DAY 3 - SUNDAY
9:00-9:15: Review of previous day
9:15-10:45: Continue Phase 1 teaching: Teach the Brainspotting Resource Model, from being exposed to their clients’ difficult material, learning how to recognize the need for participants to do their own trauma work if they find themselves in fight, flight, freeze or fawn responses.
10:45-11:00: Break
11:00-11:30 Continue Phase 1 teaching: teach Brainspotting as a Resource Model for fragile clients, learning the six goals of treatment for those with Dissociative Identity Disorder while emphasizing the importance of being competent in DID as well as Brainspotting in order to stay within their scope of practice and scope of competence.
11:30-12:15 Demo - “Body Resource”
12:15-12:45 Debrief - “Body Resource”
12:45-1:45: Lunch
1:45-2:00: Review of the nine steps of the “Body Resource” Model to prepare for practicum
2:00-3:30: “Body Resource” Practicum
3:30-4:00: Debrief - “Body Resource” Practicum
4:00-4:15 Break
4:15-5:00 Small Group Q&A/Using BSP with various populations
5:00-5:30 Final Q&A, Closing
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Instructor:
To see the instructor information and bio, click on our about tab in the menu.Our Target Audience:
Classes are open to all licensed professional counselors, licensed social workers, psychologists, psychoanalysts, MFTs, Substance Abuse Counselors, and students who are curious and seek to expand their knowledge.Accessibility:
I am committed to ensuring that all our continuing education (CE) offerings meet the highest standards of accessibility. I invite you to reach out to me via the contact for of email with any specific accessibility needs or accommodations you may require. Please make me aware of your requests prior to the training to ensure an inclusive and supportive learning environment.Grievance Policy:
Participants who have a grievance related to my continuing education courses are encouraged to submit their concerns in writing via my contact form within 30 days of completing the course.The grievance should include:
Participant's name and contact information.
Course title, date of completion, and instructor's name (if applicable).
Detailed description of the grievance, including relevant facts and supporting documentation, if any.
Desired outcome or resolution sought by the participant.
Contact:
For questions or concerns, please reach out to:Laura Hillesheim
Laura Hillesheim Therapy
info@laurahillesheimtherapy.com
(920) 609-1539 -
"Brainspotting Phase l" has been approved for 21 hours of continuing education by the Nevada Board of Examiners for MFT & CPC. The CEU number for this offering is CEU# 2024-15.